He too has resumed full training and Guardiola will assess both players in the hope that his lengthy casualty list might be about to ease.

The City boss said he was down to 15 fit senior players for Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Hoffenheim, and remains without a significant chunk of his squad. Bet Now

Playmaker David Silva, full-back Benjamin Mendy and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo are longer-term absentees, while defenders John Stones and Danilo, plus midfielder Fernandinho, will have late fitness checks before Guardiola makes a decision on whether to include them.

The manager, though, is optimistic on 30-year-old Aguero, who has 12 goals in all competitions this season.

“He did the last two training sessions, including on Thursday and he has no pain in his injury so we’ll decide,” he said.

The manager also wants his players to step up their form going into the Christmas programme in order to bring some extra cheer to supporters.

“Last season, when we dropped points, we were able to respond with another big run,” he said.

“We must focus on what we have to do. Christmas is here, people are on holidays, the families are back together, enjoying their Christmas. For us, it’s the toughest time of the season and it’s time to be focused.”

Guardiola has been impressed by how difficult to beat Everton have become under Silva’s management.

They have lost just one of their past six Premier League matches, drawing at Chelsea during that run.

“Everton has quality up front,” he said. “Richarlison did so well with Watford, then when Marco came here he brought him. He’s a top player, and that’s why they paid a lot.

“They did not just play well at Liverpool, they did so at Chelsea too. Marco’s teams are always well organised. We need to attack them better, move freely and hopefully the quality of our players makes a difference.”